Allergies and Being Hot

I am miserable. I don't know if pregnancy is to blame for any of it, or just me.

In the area in which I live, every spring the yellow pollen comes. The pollen is so thick and plentiful that it coats everything outside. It turns blue cars green and gives everything a yellow hue. You can wash it off and by the next afternoon, your coated again. It's absolutely horrible for those who suffer with allergies and in fact, our daily air quality has been in the red the last few days because of it.

The thing is, I have never suffered. I look at it all in amazement but have never been bothered by it. This year is different. My head feels like it's going to explode. My nose is constantly stuffy, I am sneezing and have a slight cough. Every time I breath I can feel the dusting of pollen in my airways and it burns. I'm not sleeping very well and I feel all foggy. I would give anything for this to go away. I will add that to my list of things to talk to my doctor about on Monday. What on earth can I take to make me feel better!

My other symptom is these hot flashes. I live in a warm, heck hot state but we are just in April. I can barely walk up a flight of stair without breaking into a drenching sweat and feeling the urge to get naked and lie under a fan (nice mental image eh?) We went to the Science Center today and my god, I almost died from the heat...the thing is...it was only 80 degrees. What on earth will I do this summer when the temps are constantly in the high 90's or 100's? I have already turned my air conditioning on - which I usually don't do until at least May but I couldn't take it anymore.

I am attempting to clean the house today and I perform one task and have to stop due to the heat and sweating. Heck I have even broke out while sitting with the kids. Has anyone else experienced this?

I guess I need to add that to my list too.

FU@K Insurance!!

S had to have some sealants put on his molars last month. Before we had them done I called my insurance company and asked what would be covered. The dentist had said that if the sealants weren't covered, we could wait until his next visit in 6 months and most certainly they would all be cavities by then due to the severity of the opening, and that the cavities would be covered.

Well the insurance company told me that the sealants were covered at 100%. So I scheduled his visit and had them all done. Today I get a letter in the mail saying that they don't cover sealants in children - WHAT!? And that I owed my dentist $472.00!!

I called the appeal number and she said that they don't cover baby teeth...well what did the last lady think my three year old had...his adult teeth?? I hate this. I pay all this extra money for the major dental coverage and I get to deal with this bullshit. My only option now is to pay the bill and then file an appeal with the insurance company...which I'm sure has a snowball's chance in hell of changing anything.

I swear to god...I'm going to drop all the kids from my insurance...let the state pay for it and get everything I need for free. I mean why get punished for doing it the right way?

Feeling Down for a Friend

There are only a few people who know that I am pregnant. A few of them belong to a local TTC forum. Well in our group of about 15 moms, three of us got pregnant close together. C was due 12/11, Me 12/21 and J 12/28. Well this morning C lost her pregnancy. This is the second or third that she has lost and she's tore up.

She has two other children and a semi-present husband so I don't think anyone will really be there for her tonight. I offered to come and sit with her, but she said she'd be fine. I'm not sure I would want a pregnant woman to sit with me either.

Sad thing is she just announced to our entire mommies board (about 1000 moms) that she was expecting. So now she needs to also let everyone know of her loss. She was hesitant to announce it, and I kinda advised against it, but obviously in the end it was her call.

My heart is with her tonight. I hope she gets the help and support she needs.

Another Birthday Party Today

I think this brings our monthly total to 4? Seriously, how do two children who don't go to daycare, preschool or attend any mother's morning out facility become so freaking popular? I mean I love that my children are well liked and people enjoy their company, but I am running out of money!

Many of these friends come from our multiples group, which is great, but that means two children and therefor two gifts per party. Other friends include co-workers, friends from our mommy group and other friends.

It's amazing to me the social network you create when you have children. Before kids I had co-workers and a few close friends. Now add to that all the multiples friends, mommies friends and people who we have casually met at play dates or children's venues. Kids seem to draw people together more than anything else I have seen.

So for me, a virtual hermit prior to children, this is all quite new, most of the time enjoyable and very entertaining. Of course my wallet is hoping I return to my introverted self...and soon!

Three Rough Days

Last week was a long difficult week at work. I had all day classes from 8a-4p on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. For the most part we were sitting and listening to people talk. It was held in an old church and therefor temperature control was non-existent. I felt like I was dying from the heat a few times.

The topic was kinda touchy-feely, emotional sharing type stuff. Anyone who knows me knows that this is not my cup of tea. I don't share touchy-feely things with many people, especially not a group of almost 40 virtual strangers. I am a guarded, closed off person and stuff like this drives me crazy. It was something that was mandatory through work so I didn't have much of a choice.

Add to that, two night where the twins crawled into my bed at like 3a which means mommy doesn't get to sleep. So basically, touchy-feely crap, in a hot room, with no sleep and a slight migraine. Can you say FUN?

Pictures

I'm pretty sure I mentioned taking the twins to a local photographer to take their three year pictures. Well I got them back today. The twins acted horribly but she was able to get some nice shots. In the end there were only 19 pictures to choose from but I was happy with most of them. Here are my favorites.

Poor Kid

Sometimes having a brother sucks. S has been in a very silly mood lately and unfortunately this includes jumping, climbing and throwing. Poor K has been the accidental victim a few times in the last 24 hours. Twice the twins banged heads and both times K was hit just below her Right eye. Well tonight S decided it was time to throw a doll bed and poor K caught the corner of the bed in that same darn spot...and well I guess it finally decided to bruise up. Initially it was quite swollen and purple but it looks like it will settle down quickly. Here is a pic, but oddly enough it looks much worse in person.




Oh, and as you've noticed, I can only get a picture of K if I let her make funny faces

Sometimes You Do Need a Man

Last night, around 11pm, I went out to put the garbage out. Well imagine my surprise when I saw that a huge tree was lying across my driveway. I had been out earlier in the day, so it had to have happened after it got dark. Just a few feet closer to the house and my van would have been crushed.

This morning me and the twins hauled away the smaller limbs. If I wasn't pregnant I would have tried to roll the large trunk out of the way, but of course I wasn't going to risk it. I posted for help on my local mommies forum and within the hour I had a volunteer.

This afternoon once J, one of my friend's husband, was done work he came right over with his chainsaw and removed the tree. What a great guy.

Luckily the way the tree fell, I was still able to leave the driveway by driving on my lawn. Not great for the grass but I had places I had to be today :)

FISHING!!

Yesterday the weather was beautiful. We headed to a local park with a friend of mine, L, and her son M. We played for a bit at the playground, but surprisingly the kids tired of that pretty quickly. So L called her husband and he brought over fishing poles.

The twins have never fished but when we mentioned it, both immediately became super excited. We got about 10 little fish while we were there and the kids were so excited by it all. S especially was so amazed by the process and totally into it. He touched and held all the fish, he threw them back, he even wanted to get the worm on the hook. I will definitely have to take him fishing again some time soon.

And of course...yet again...mommy was smart enough to put sun screen on the twins, but failed to do so on herself. I am burnt! I'm such a dummy!! I have been having hot flashes with being pregnant anyway, but now with burning hot skin...I am miserable. You would think I would learn at some point huh?

This is such a classic expression for K

It's Interesting

How different pregnancies can be.

At 5 weeks with the twins I was very tired and had sore breasts. That's it. It wasn't until 8 weeks when my hyperemesis gravidum kicked in and made my life miserable for the next 28 weeks.

This time I have many symptoms. I still have the fatigue and sore breasts, but I also have bad heartburn, major acne and am already experiencing nausea each morning. So far the nausea hasn't been bad. When I wake up I really feel like I need to throw up, but within an hour, and something small on my stomach, I feel better.

It makes me wonder both ways. More symptoms earlier makes me a little afraid. I just think I have more HCG and therefor maybe twins again?? But then I also think, this pregnancy, thus far, is already pretty different...maybe that means just one :)

Honestly I think it will be hard for my mind not to wonder, or over analyze things until I get that US confirmation. When I see that nice sac and single heartbeat I think I will relax...or at least be able to obsess over something else.

TIRED!

Why is it in the first trimester you are so freaking tired that just rolling out of bed seems impossible? I understand that I am growing this little baby, but right now it's the size of a bean...how much energy could it possibly need?

Other then the tiredness I am experiencing sore breasts, transient nausea and many little uterine pulls and tugs. I am so impatient that I want to tell everyone I know that I am pregnant, but I will do my best to wait until 12 weeks. It will come soon enough. I am trying to focus on the good, because there is a good chance that in a few weeks some wicked nausea will come my way and life could be pretty miserable.

Here's to that NOT happening!

Have I Told You How Much I Love My Neurologist

Today I made the call to Dr L to let him know that I would not be getting that MRI and that I was now pregnant. I left the message on his nurse line. A few hours later he personally called me at home to congratulate me. Dr L is so awesome. Anytime there has been something important to discuss he always calls me personally. He always seems to 'know' my case and I never feel like another patient to him. I am very lucky to have found him. I am one of those people who has never liked any of her doctors and switch every few years because I think they're asses :)

Thank goodness for Dr L!!

Oh, and since everyone is bugging me with the number of babies I may be carrying, I thought I'd add a fun poll :) I have a doctors appointment on May 4th. At that time I should find out when Dr D is going to schedule and US for me.

What a Long Day

8:30a to 4:45p sitting in a meeting watching videos and listening to people talk. OMG! Today was one of the longest and most painful days in awhile.

Then getting home shortly after 5p and having to get organized only to turn around and run out again for our multiples meeting. UGH.

I am so ready for bed.

For All My Readers Who Have Been Pregnant With a Toddler....

What did you do?

Both of my guys still like to be carried around. K will not walk up the stairs my herself when it's time for bed. She is only about 28lbs but S is like 32lbs. I'm not sure what the safe limit is with weight.

Also, but my kids are very physical. They like to run, jump and climb all over me. Well obviously this can't happen anymore. I must have yelled at the kids 5 times tonight for jumping on me. I feel bad because they have always been able to do this before and now all of a sudden the rules have changed.

I can't explain to them the baby thing for some time. I don't want anyone to know yet and of course three year olds talk. I'm sure this is just the tip of the ice burg with stuff I need to figure out.

If anyone has good ideas or tips, please share :)

The Proof

Here are my lovely three pregnancy tests. The first one was 11dpo, then 12dpo and now today. I'm happy with the results and won't take anymore :) I will call my doc in a few weeks and try and schedule and US. I'm hoping for one healthy baby :)

I'm Such an Impatient Person

I'm on of the most impatient people I know. I want everything right now. I don't like waiting. I am worse than little kids waiting for Santa. So, now that I am pregnant...I want my baby now :P

I sit here and think about being pregnant and how happy I am, but then I start to think that I won't be seeing this baby until December!! What the hell am I supposed to do until December? I know, I know...there are a million things I need to do, I should do and I can do.

I know with the twins my pregnancy seemed to last FOREVER! I am really hoping that now, with the busy life of running around after two 3yo's this pregnancy won't seem to be as long.

My challenge to myself is to try and enjoy this pregnancy, despite what symptoms it will bring. This is in ALL likelihood my last pregnancy and baby (unless I meet Mr Right...and we all know that ain't happening) so I need to take in all the experiences it brings. Enjoy all the twinges and flutters and soon to be movements.

Remind me of this in the coming months when I post here complaining about x, y and z.

I'm So Excited

I have been so happy all day. I can't believe I actually have what I have been thinking about for over a year, and working hard towards for the past 2 months. It also makes me feel better about all the symptoms I've been having. I was starting to think I was going crazy :)

Along with the excitement is this feeling like "What the hell have I just done" Although I want this more than anything, the thought of being pregnant again, after my horrible last pregnancy, and reality of three kids is a little crazy! But of course, this feeling is easily pushed away by my happiness!

I hope this is the beginning of a healthy nine months!

:)

Guess who saw a very faint second line today?

I am thrilled :) I will keep testing until I get a nice dark line....but as of right now...I'm pregnant!!

Still Fairly Optimistic

Despite the negative test this morning I am still feeling optimistic. I know that 10dpo is early, although it was still a little painful to see that negative test. I would feel more bummed out if it weren't for all the continued symptoms that I am having.

My breasts are killing me and I am so tired that I yawn all day and feel as though I could have a nap at any time. I also have lots of CM - TMI I know, but it is a pregnancy sign. I feel VERY similar to the way I did when I got pregnant with the twins. I tested positive with them on 12dpo, however, that was the first day I tested.

I am about 90% confident that I am pregnant right now. It will be a big blow if I'm not, but I really think I am.

10dpo...Negative

:(

Still early. I keep telling myself that. Still early. I will test again on Saturday. I still have my symptoms so I am trying to keep my head up.

Maybe Saturday will be my day?

Back to Being More Positive

My temps went up this morning - good sign

My breast are sore...not just tender...but sore

I have tons of CM

I will take an early detection pregnancy test tomorrow morning. It will still be a little early, but I am really hoping I get the result I want.

Don't Know What To Feel

I am feeling down today. I don't think it's necessarily because of the negative test. I'm not having any symptoms today. I am starting to get worried that I have been so hopeful these past few days and I'm just setting myself up for a HUGE let down. Maybe I am trying to protect myself by feeling more negative now. I don't know.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. TTC is just a big mind Fu@k and I hate it.

As Expected...

Negative

I tested with a dollar store test. I am trying not to get bummed out. Like I said, I think I am closer to 8dpo and that is really WAY too early to test. I think I am going to hold out until Thursday to test again.

Please don't let me fall too hard!

I Think I'm Crazy

But I'm going to test tomorrow. I know my ticker says 10dpo but I'm pretty sure it's closer to 8dpo. I know it's early, but I am having a lot of symptoms. My mind just tells me that if these are true symptoms, and there is enough hormone in my body to cause these symptoms, it should be detectable by a test. I won't let myself get bummed if it's negative, but I am giving into my testing urges :)

I am still having a lot of heartburn and nausea pretty much every time I eat or wake up. This is odd for me. I haven't thrown up and no one around me is sick, so I have to assume it might be something else. I also have slightly tender breasts - although this was a major symptom last month which of course was nothing.

I was also comparing the cycle I conceived the twins and it's very similar
- Probably ovulated on CD18
- Ovulated from the same side
- The month before conception it was assumed I didn't ovulate (last month that is a definite possibility)

I really, really hope I'm not setting myself up for a HUGE disappointment. I will let you know what the test tomorrow shows, although logically, I know it will be negative.

Symptoms

I am still having some symptoms. The heartburn comes and goes...and this is not normal for me. My breasts are a little tender and today for about an hour I was very nauseous. I am going to hold out until Wednesday or Thursday to test, but I am feeling slightly optimistic.

**4/6 am UPDATE**
I am so nauseous right now. I just want to throw up. Also another rough night with heartburn. I hope these are all good signs.

Easter Egg #2

This afternoon we went to the Multiples Egg Hunt. At this hunt the Easter Bunny made an appearance! The twins had fun with their friends and hunting for eggs again. I hope that S and K will now be satisfied with the hunts as we will not be attending any more.

On a funny note...when K was waiting for her turn to see the Easter Bunny she turned to me and said "Mommy, I think that bunny has a daddy in it" What a kid!

Easter Egg Hunt #1

This morning we went to an Easter Egg hunt with our mommies group. The kids had a blast. They were so excited to go get the eggs. The twins have definitely been more into holiday festivities this last year. I think now they seem to 'get' it.

This hunt started at 10a and we were done by 11a. Just enough time to get home, eat lunch, have our nap and get ready for hunt #2.

Hmmm...

So this morning, 2:30a to be exact, I wake up and I don't feel well at all. I kind of sit there for a few minutes and then realize I am going to throw up. Run to the bathroom, vomit, and everything feels better.

I know it's almost too early to be experiencing any true symptoms...but it definitely has me thinking.

K Got Her Ears Pierced!

Today while shopping K saw an earring set up and asked to get her ears pierced. She has asked several times before but every single time backed out when I told her 'okay'. Well today she was insistent. She did pretty good. She tried to be brave but about 3 seconds after the first pierce she broke down and started crying. She didn't want the second one done so I had to hold her head. She screamed a little but within a few minutes was fine.

Here are some pics. The only way I could get pics of K was for her to make funny faces.